Why do men act the way they do? Jane Goodale (Ashley Judd) becomes obsessed with answering that question after Ray Brown (Greg Kinnear), the love of her life, suddenly terminates their relationship. Jane books talent for a New York talk show and, after Ray steps in as the new executive producer, he and Jane become lovers. They even sign a lease for the perfect apartment to share. But move-in day never comes because he can't commit. Now broken-hearted Jane is homeless, having given up her own small apartment. Eddie Alden (Hugh Jackman), a womanizing co-worker, invites Jane to move in with him for a while. Researching animal behavior, Jane invents her "new cow theory," proclaiming men are like bulls that never mate twice with the same cow. Taking this idea to her best friend Liz (Marisa Tomei), the editor of a “men's” magazine, Jane's theory turns into a sex column that rocks the country. SOMEONE LIKE YOU will attract young adults, especially women who have kissed a lot of frogs before their Prince Charming appeared.

Unfortunately "kiss" is much too mild a term for these characters, who seem to take for granted that premarital sex is a requisite for dating couples. Jane criticizes Eddie for declaring that "casual sex is very liberating," and his bringing home a different girl every night. Yet after a casual date with Ray, instead of a goodnight kiss, she quickly retrieves a birth control device and a passionate affair begins. That scene and another encounter implying sex between them, plus Eddie's "one-night stands" illustrate SOMEONE LIKE YOU's liberal attitude on sex. Ray flits between Jane and his former lover, unable to commit to either. And Jane lashes out at all men with her "new cow" theory, a pretty naive attitude for a 30-something, sophisticated New York career woman. Surprisingly, Eddie teaches her that all men aren't scoundrels. Several slang terms for sex, plus one f-word and 6 s-words, tarnish the dialogue. This romantic comedy sends out dangerous messages of "everybody's doing it" to teenagers.